Dishonesty and deceit have no place in public service, especially when it comes to the trust of a city’s library.
Marlon P. Bush, a 47-year-old East St. Louis resident and former director of the East St. Louis Public Library, has pleaded guilty to federal charges of wire fraud and embezzlement from the City of East St. Louis Public Library, a unit of city government that received federal funds.
Between 2014 and 2016, Bush, who formerly served as the Library’s director, took excess salary and charged personal purchases to the Library’s credit card.
The offenses carry a maximum sentence of up to 30 years of imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Bush may also be ordered to make restitution for his crimes.
Sentencing is scheduled for April 9, 2019.
The investigation was conducted by the Southern Illinois Public Corruption Task Force, which consists of agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service/Criminal Investigation, and the Illinois State Police.
The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Norman R. Smith.
Citizens are encouraged to report suspicions of public corruption to the Southern Illinois Public Corruption Task Force Tip Line at (618) 589-7373.
The guilty plea serves as a stark reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in public institutions.
Key Facts
- State: Illinois
- Category: Public Corruption|White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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